Piloting Bridgeton Local News to promote civic engagement, address barriers to health, and advance health equity in the Bridgeton, N.J., area

The Foundation's New Jersey Health Initiative was designed to support innovative community-based projects in New Jersey that address one or more of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's interest areas in health and health care.This grant supports the United Advocacy Group (UAG), in collaboration with SNJ Today Digital and Rowan College of South Jersey, to pilot the Bridgeton Local News initiative, an educational project providing training and resources to college students to develop local news stories for the Bridgeton, N.J., community. Under the supervision of a SNJ Today desk editor and a Rowan College professor, this student journalism program will connect 10 Rowan College students with community organizations working in various sectors (e.g., health, environment, education, social services, and economy) to cover news stories that highlight issues and provide resources for the Bridgeton community, with a focus on health equity. Collectively, students will produce 100 stories during the program, addressing local information needs, while engaging the community in a variety of issues that impact health and equity. UAG and SNJ Today will use analytics to track and monitor engagement (i.e., comments and sharing) and sustainability (i.e., views) for each of the coverage areas of news stories.